The "Made in the UAE 2026" forum kicks off in Abu Dhabi with an announcement
The "Made in the UAE 2026" forum kicked off in Abu Dhabi with the announcement of industrial procurement opportunities worth AED 15 billion.

The latest edition of the Make it in the Emirates 2026 forum opened on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). Organised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Adnoc, the event brings together industry leaders, local and international investors, financing institutions and other stakeholders to explore investment opportunities for the localisation of vital industries in the UAE.

Government and semi-government procurement contracts to boost national content

On the forum’s first day, leading national companies announced new packages of industrial procurement opportunities worth more than Dh15 billion in total. The opportunities cover petrochemicals, metals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy technology and heavy equipment. The ministry said the opportunities would enable local manufacturers and foreign investors to secure long-term supply contracts, supporting strong economic viability and enhancing the competitiveness of the In-Country Value (ICV) programme.

Financing facilities and customs incentives for smart factories

The forum’s opening was accompanied by the launch of flexible financing packages by Emirates Development Bank, offering competitive interest rates and flexible grace periods to support small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and automation. Industrial zones across the UAE are also offering customs exemptions on production inputs and advanced industrial machinery to accelerate the pace of local manufacturing.

Strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global industrial hub

The Make it in the Emirates forum reflects the UAE’s commitment to achieving the objectives of its National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to Dh300 billion by 2031. The UAE continues to build a sustainable industrial ecosystem that combines technological innovation with operational efficiency.